POLI 112 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS Session 11 – Representation & Elections Lecturer: Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Department of Political Science

Defining Representation Essentially the idea of representation connotes acting in a manner responsive of the interest of constituents With the astronomic growth in size of populations and the complexities of modern day governance, the classical form of democracy is impossible. What is practiced in modern times is Representative democracy where leaders are elected by constituents to serve the latter’s interest. The constituents reserve the ultimate right to remove or recall elected leaders if they fail to promote the fiduciary trust reposed in them by the constituents Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO, Dept of Political Science, UG

Theories of Representation It is for example practiced in Britain while the Theories of Representation Andrew Heywood has identified four main models or theories of representation. These are Trusteeship Delegate Mandate Model Resemblance Model Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Theories of Representation (Cont) Trustees – Experts who act in the best interest of constituents without necessarily consulting them Delegates – They only mirror the views of their constituents and must therefore consult them at all times before deciding on behalf of constituents Mandate- Politicians operating this model adhere to the policy prescriptions which got them elected to power Resemblance – This model postulates that people who typifies the characteristics of a larger group to which they belong can represent the interest of the group better. It assumes therefore that a woman for instance can better champion the cause of women than a man Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Elections Explained The concept of representation is intrinsically linked to elections and voting. Elections are necessary but not sufficient conditions for democratic governance. Generally, an election may be explained as a mechanism by which personnel are selected to manage the affairs of the state on behalf of the electorate. Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Types of Elections There are several types of elections. They include Direct elections Indirect elections General elections Bye-Elections Run-off Elections Local Elections Referendum Plebiscite   Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Making Elections Free and Fair Campaign Period There should be freedom of expression. Meaning you should be able to express your views without fear; there should be freedom of assembly. Meaning groups should be able to meet and to organize themselves for any lawful action; there should be freedom of association. Meaning you have the right to form an association or belong to any association you please; there should be level playing field for political parties. This means, no political party, whether in power or in opposition must have an advantage over the other; there should be an independent and impartial Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission is the body that conducts elections; and there should be no impediment to voter registration. This means neither the Electoral Commission nor political parties themselves should do anything that would prevent voters from getting their names registered.   Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Making Elections Free and Fair Election Day There should be equal opportunity given to all voters to vote; there should be secret ballot; there should be no intimidation of voters during voting; polling stations must be made accessible to all voters, media, party agents and observers; there should be transparent and tamper-resistant ballot boxes. This means it should be easy for voters to see through the ballot boxes, which must also not be easy to be destroyed; there should be effective ballot counting procedure as well as effective procedure for determining which of the ballots must be rejected; and there should be adequate security at the polling stations and security measures for transporting the ballot boxes.   Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Making Elections Free and Fair After Election Day  There should be ability on the part of political parties and candidates who contested the elections to legally contest the election results; Impartial and prompt treatment of election complaints; Official and timely announcement of election results Unbiased media reporting of results; Acceptance of results by all stakeholders involved in the elections; and Installation in office of winners of the election Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Functions of Elections Allows voters to exercise their right to choose who must govern them Promote political accountability Confers legitimacy on leaders Serves as a good index for measuring commitment to the political system It promotes peaceful change of government Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Problems of Elections Election results may be manipulated through rigging, gerrymandering and other electoral malfeasance in a manner that undermines democracy and the choice of the citizenry It is very expensive to finance the cost of elections. More than forty percent of Ghana’s electoral budget is financed by donors and development partners High rate of illiteracy leads to high incidence of rejected ballots, thereby undermining the expression of choice Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Images of voting and Electoral Activism in Ghana Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Reading List Refer to Unit 5, pp. 109 to 120 of Poli 112 (Political Institutions) Modules Shaun, Bowler “Electoral Systems” In Rhodes, R.A.W, Binder, A. Sarah and Rockman, A. Bert “The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions” (New York: oxford university Press, 2006) pp 578-594,  Gyampo, R.E.V. The state of Political Institutions in Ghana, (Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing Inc. 2012) pp. 159-187 Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG

Concluding Remark Brace yourself for Lecture 12 THANK YOU Dr. R.E.V. GYAMPO Dept of Political Science, UG